Our bodies are covered up by clothes all winter which usually means we ignore it. No skincare, no lotion, no scrubbing. If you can't see it, it doesn't exist, right?
But under those mom-jeans it's a lizard-scale-size mess, cos winter is one of the times we need MORE care. Cold wind can be just as drying as harsh sun, sometimes more so, and just because other people can't see it, doesn't mean you can't. Self care babes - it's about exactly that. Self. Care.
You know what happens in winter. You eat more, your clothes get a bit tighter, your skin isn't looking its best so you don't feel great, which makes you eat more, which makes you feel worse. Here's how to break the winter blues cycle and come out feeling amazing for spring. Just like a butterfly. 'Cause you are a butterfly, didn't you know?
1. SCRUB
That dead skin has gotta go. Any scrub will do, I'm particularly fond of Saya's Coconut Body Polish but a Frank Body Scrub will also do the job. Start at your feet and work your way up your body. If you can't reach your back, get a brush with a long handle and scrub dead skin cells off your face.
A good physical scrub on your face will also help reveal fresh skin underneath the winter layer of dryness, and help your moisturisers/serums penetrate more easily. At the moment I'm using a Pai scrub but often swap this with a more gentle one as it can be a bit rough. But good for a winter pore clean out.
2. STEAM
Steam on your face in winter can help clear skin and will also help flush out any nasal congestion. Just pour boiling water in a large bowl, add a few drops of essential oils depending on your skin type and stick your face over it. No towel on top of your head thanks ladies, that's what we did in the 80's and 90's and it gets too hot. A gentle steam is what we're after to get the blood flowing and the circulation moving. Essential oil suggestions:
- Lavender - calming and helps with insomnia, good for sensitive or dry skin
- Geranium – acts as a natural astringent and is good for sensitive skin
- Eucalyptus – relieves nasal decongestion and is good for acne
- Peppermint – good for oily skin
- Chamomile – soothes irritated skin
- Rosemary – balances oily skin
3. MASK
A good moisturising mask goes a long way in winter for dry skin, and even those with combination skin can benefit from doing a moisturising mask on cheeks and a clearing mask on t-zones. Don't be afraid to act like a facialist and treat yourself the way they would. De-puff eyes with slices of cucumber and go into your zen state.
4. OIL
The great saviour of all skin types: oil. Straight after the shower where you've scrubbed your body, while skin is still damp, massage in one of our all natural, scented Luxury body + hair serum oils, or our Glow Queen Glow body + hair serum oil. The beautiful natural fragrances will immediately pull you out of that winter mood and take you to a happier place, and the oil is nothing short of miraculous for scaly skin. Daily use will give you the best body skin of your life - you won't ever need that Kim Kardashian body makeup! You can heal your skin with this product.
For face, do your usual routine, then finish with a luxe face oil like Recreation's Vibrant Skin face oil after masking. Massage in with Recreation's jade gua sha if you have one, to tighten skin around the jawline and cheekbones. If skin is super dry, follow with a moisturiser. An oil is enough for me so I don't need to double up, those with drier skin may want to.
5. POLISH
Finish with your feet. Moisturised feet are a must and polished toes will make you happy - even more so in winter because it's such a lovely surprise for yourself to have superb toes under those woolly socks! Self care is for YOU, remember? You do these things for yourself, not for the random you met last Thursday night at a gig who hasn't texted anyway. It ain't for those losers, it's for YOU.
If you can't get a pedi, do it yourself by
1. Scrubbing off dead skin with some kind of pumice
2. Slathering our Glow Queen Glow body + hair oil over your feet before bed, pop socks on and wake up with soft feet.
3. Polish toenails in your fave non-toxic colour. I like these brands: Butter, Hanami, Kester Black and Gloss & Co.
That's it babes. You are now officially winter-skintastic.
Photo: @ronanksm Instagram